RD Rides

Susegad in Konkani refers to a relaxed, content and fulfilled way of life. It means not taking life too seriously and living in the moment. It means everything that a big city therapist would prescribe you to do when you're burning out and edging on the D word. It's often mistaken as a lazy way of life. It is instead, a mindful way of life.  Why am I talking about being Susegad in a motorcycle review you ask? It is because of the newly launched Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350. A motorcycle that pays homage to the hippy culture that once flourished in extreme North Goa. If you've been to that part of Goa prior to 2020, I'm sure you would've come across chopped up REs with funky colour schemes, being ridden by topless male or bikini clad female expats with wind in their hair and stuff in their pockets. It is this rave culture that RE has decided to pay homage to. Don't believe me? Check out the names of the colours on offer: Shack Black, Trip Teal, Purple Haze and ...

I am impressed. I'm very, very impressed. Fun is not something that we would associate with Royal Enfield motorcycles. Freedom, yes. Adventure, maybe. But fun? Never! Well, not yet that is. Because RE has launched a bombshell of a motorcycle bang in the middle of the 400cc chaos curated by the factories of Bajaj and Hero. Ladies and gentlemen: The Guerrilla 450.  When I rode the Himalayan 450, somehow the motorcycle didn't feel complete. Yes, it handled well, braked well, had good ride quality and all that but it always felt like a sum of parts. That platform never felt like an ADV platform. That's because it wasn't. Now with the Guerrilla and the small tweaks that it brings along, this platform comes to life. This was always a roadster platform and it shines the brightest in the Guerilla iteration. One look at the motorcycle and you cannot help but appreciate the minimalism in design. The LED headlights, the offset speedo console, the flat and wide tank, th...

The Oxford dictionary defines the word "Scramber" as a person who walks over steep, mountainous terrain as a pastime. Back in the early 1900s some British motorcyclists decided to do just that, but on two wheels. For that purpose, they took normal motorcycles and fitted them with bigger suspensions and voila! A whole new genre of motorcycles were born and they were called: the Scramblers! As time went by, motorcycles became increasingly specialised and iterations of the OG Scrambler like the ADVs or the dirt bikes were developed to do what the Scramblers once did. Not too long ago, the legendary British motorcycle brand Triumph launched the Scrambler 1200, resurrecting the iconic design and do it all capabilities of a Scrambler and it became an instant hit amongst adventure seekers and everyday riders alike. Going by the success of the larger Scramblers and the growing demand for affordable, adventure ready motorcycles globally, Triumph dropped another bombshell o...

Long years ago, Royal Enfield made a tryst with destiny and now the time comes when they shall redeem their pledge. Not only on and off road here in India but also at the toughest automotive event in the world: The Dakar Rally!  With that prologue, ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to the leanest, the meanest and the most capable Royal Enfield ever made: The Himalayan 450! It's an all new, ground up motorcycle and it shares exactly 0 parts with the older Himalayan 411 that it replaces. What Royal Enfield have thrown at this motorcycle will just blow your mind to tiny bits. It gets liquid cooling, 6 gears, ride by wire throttle, riding modes and a colour TFT display that can cast your mobile screen, including Google Maps! So how does all of this translate to the riding experience of the new Himalayan? Should the competition simply pack their bags and leave already? Moreover, should YOU buy the all new Himalayan and should you buy it NOW? Lets start with the all ...

It's one thing to have a girlfriend, another to make her your wife. When I bought my Jimny in August this year, I had had two test drives of around 5 kms each. Now with over 3500 kms on the clock, I know a lot more about her than before. So here it is. Ownership review of my Jimny Alpha MT, in a question - answer format, completely unbiased (I'll try): 1. Is it overpriced? Ans- Let's tackle the elephant in the room first. Price is what you pay, value is what you get. For the capability and the versatility that this car delivers, there's a lot more value attached to the Jimny than the price it commands. With year end discounts currently available, the deal gets even sweeter. It is the cheapest 5 door, 4*4 car available in India by a big, big margin. Can't beat the value proposition.  2. Is it underpowered?  Ans- Fully stock, yes. With a just basic mod like a throttle controller, it's a day and night difference. Possibly to meet the ever increasing emi...

Seldom in history do you find two cars this similar in intent and yet this different in execution. The Mahindra Thar is the personification of badass.  This is how big bad American off-roaders are made. The unmistakable Jeep styling, the tall stance, the bulging wheel arches, the huge 18 inch wheels and two very, very powerful engine options that make the Thar not only badass but extremely capable both on and off-road. The Jimny, on the other hand, is the personification of minimalism. It's a hermit who carries all his essential belongings with him in a small bundle of cloth. Small body, small tyres, small engine and two decade old gearboxes. All of this to ensure the car remains light on its feet and lives up to the "mountain goat" tag that its predecessor in India, the Gypsy had earned for itself.  In fact, so obsessed were Suzuki engineers with weight savings that they decided to even do away with essentials like bottle holders and cubby holes! Is this even a fair comp...